Ruben Amorim thinks significant “changes” at Manchester United have played a role in their poor season. United suffered a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday, conceding a first-half goal from Brennan Johnson.
Amorim, who was hired from Sporting Lisbon in November, has been unable to turn around the team’s performance, and Manchester United are on track to finish with their lowest-ever points total in the Premier League.
The 40-year-old addressed reporters before Manchester United’s Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, sharing insights about his challenging first season in Manchester.
Amorim described the Europa League final loss as very difficult, saying, “It was really tough, and it still is. I believe losing that game was unfair because we were the better side and created more opportunities.
We conceded a goal just before half-time and gave our all in the second half, but as I mentioned before the match, not winning the final makes it much harder to cope with.
Amorim added, “I’m not going to try to change your mind. It’s been a difficult season, but we held onto the hope that we could win something, which might have allowed us to end the season on a better note.”
The only way to bounce back is by concentrating on the next game and finishing strong. When you begin looking ahead to the future and the team, a new season will kick off with fresh goals and a determination to improve.
“I believe these past six months have been very challenging, with many changes—not just for me, but for the entire club. We made so many adjustments within the organization that usually take several years, sometimes three to five, to accomplish. We even changed the coach during this period.
It has been a very difficult season. Now it’s time to enjoy the moment, focus on what lies ahead, and stay positive. We know our path, and I’m clear about how I want the team to play. Despite all the mistakes people criticize me for, I’m confident in my approach, and this is an exciting opportunity to make a change.
Aston Villa will visit Old Trafford this weekend, and with their established leadership at Villa Park, they’ve become consistent contenders in Europe.
“They have stability and are accustomed to competing for top positions. We want to do the same, but there’s a lot to admire about a club like this,” Amorim said.
When you’re in this kind of situation, it feels like it will take a while, but we will get better. It’s not just about the number of transfer windows, and sometimes it’s hard to predict. Things can change quickly. I can’t say exactly how many windows or years it will take to get there, but one thing is certain—we will improve.
Amorim confirmed that the team will be evaluated after the season’s last match. “Our next game is against Aston Villa, and that’s where our focus is. The season isn’t over yet,” he stated.
“We want to end on a positive note in front of our fans, which is very important. As for everything else, we’ll review the squad and decide what to do once the season concludes, and since the season isn’t finished, we’ll handle it then”.
Amorim is now pleased to have been appointed mid-season, even though he had told United’s board in November that he preferred to take charge at Old Trafford in the summer.
“Right now, I’m really happy to have come in six months before the new season starts. I believe this will help us avoid many mistakes that might have happened next season,” Amorim said.
“This is the moment to use all the challenges we’ve faced to make changes over the summer. And when I say summer, it’s not just about the players—there are many aspects within the club that need to be improved.”
That’s exactly what we’ve been doing over the past six months. We’ve made changes in every part of the club, and I’m truly happy about that. We’ve faced a lot of challenges, but I’m grateful to have arrived six months early because it will benefit me greatly in the upcoming season.
